Basel Historical Museum: The House in the Cherry Garden, Basel

The House in the Cherry Garden (Haus zum Kirschgarten), stands as one of the three principal branches of the Basel Historical Museum in Switzerland, encapsulating the elegance of Basel’s domestic culture from the 18th to 19th centuries. Built between 1775 and 1780 by architect Johann Ulrich Büchel for the prominent silk ribbon manufacturer and army colonel Johann Rudolf Burckhardt, this mansion embodies early Neoclassical design, with Masonic influences subtly woven into its architecture, symbolizing Burckhardt's wealth and social stature. It later changed hands and transformed into a museum of domestic culture in 1951.

The museum’s 50 exhibition rooms are meticulously designed to reflect the living spaces of Basel's affluent bourgeoisie, displaying period furnishings, porcelain, toys, and paintings that showcase daily life from Basel’s prosperous past. Alongside the authentic period rooms, the House in the Cherry Garden also houses a professional collection that includes special exhibits and artifacts from various cultures, such as mini-exhibitions on topics like Sheikh Ibrahim.

As a segment of the larger Basel Historical Museum, this building complements the broader collections within the institution, which spans 6,200 square meters and includes invaluable cultural artifacts like the Basel Cathedral treasures, Renaissance altars, and the coin cabinet. The House in the Cherry Garden, with its stunning architecture and thoughtfully curated interiors, offers an evocative glimpse into Basel’s cultural heritage, combining art, history, and the luxurious ambiance of its original era.